Innovations from global brands will be featured at the upcoming Gulf Print and Pack 2019 in Dubai.

Gulf Print & Pack 2019 returns to the Dubai World Trade Centre from April 15 to 18, 2019, boasting more live demonstrations of machinery and technology to potential buyers than in previous editions, with the introduction of a brand-new Innovation Trail led by leading manufacturers.

Technology being showcased includes: a central reprographic department from Canon, designed to present an entire printing solution in one place; two hardware solutions from HP; workflow and colour management software from Xerox, including their Iridesse Production Press; and digital printing solutions from Konica Minolta including the MGI JETVarnish 3DS machine and AccurioLabel 190 label printer. The show is the only platform in the region that brings all these leading manufacturers and more together under one roof. Visitors will be able to experience live demonstrations over the entire four days of the show.

Canon, HP, Konica Minolta, Phoenix Technologies, Ricoh and Xerox are among the exhibitors taking part.

Lisa Milburn, managing director, Gulf Print & Pack 2019, commented: “Innovation is the golden thread running through this year’s show, and we are delighted to be able to offer even more live technology demonstrations for potential print buyers than before, and build real momentum in the industry. This, coupled with the fact that around half of exhibitors are coming from outside the Mena region, is proof that it continues to be an essential destination for the commercial printing industry to invest in. We are looking forward to meeting with exhibitors and visitors at Gulf Print & Pack 2019.”

Explaining why they decided to take part in the Innovation Trail, Chris Lynch, head of MEA Production at Xerox, said: “We believe the Middle East plays a significant role when it comes to digital transformation and developing innovating technologies. Being part of the Innovation Trail will allow us to showcase the latest digital solutions and services which help add value to print, reduce costs, improve productivity or automate many of the processes involved in print operations. This is a great way to connect further with the market and to have open and honest conversations with customers about how suppliers can help overcome their challenges, and provide new and innovative solutions to help grow their businesses.”

Mark Ward, large format manager for Middle East and Saudi Arabia, HP Inc, added: “The show gives us a welcome opportunity to open a dialog with customers from across the region and to get a better understanding of their specific needs, while demonstrating our existing solutions that best fit their needs.”

Shadi Bakhour, B2B Business Unit director, Canon Middle East, said: “The objective of this display is to educate customers about the value of having a complete printing solution at the organisation. We hope that by walking through the process, customers will be encouraged to take strides towards unlocking their full printing potential.”

Also being introduced at the show is a new Print Décor Lounge area, where visitors will be able to experience the diverse possibilities of printing. Everything will be printed, from textiles, furniture, wallpaper, to non-slip flooring using technology such as web-to-print. Exhibitors taking part include NDigitech, who will be showcasing their innovative Dubaiprint.com e-commerce printing platform, Multisystem Technology and Heliozid.

Displaying the newest in multi-substrate presses, wide and narrow format digital presses, laser die-cutting, smart labels/packaging, and software, Gulf Print & Pack 2019 is aimed at printers, service providers, brand owners and designers.

Gulf Print & Pack 2017 attracted a total of 9,237 visitors from 98 countries – 60 per cent of which came from the UAE. A total of 252 exhibitors took part. Close to Dhs30 million worth of machines were sold during the event. The emergence of many e-commerce platforms in the Middle East, such as noon.com, is among several factors fuelling the growth of the packaging industry in the region, with the value of packaging used in e-commerce is seen rising.

Digitalisation and cost reductions in both package printing and commercial print are also driving strategic changes within the industry. According to experts, local and international companies within the packaging industry are increasingly targeting the Mena region as sales volume and values continue to rise.

The technology is necessary for direct mail, transactional and security where variable data is used. It is growing in books, labels and commercial printing, while making inroads into catalogues, magazines and the big opportunity in packaging. Amidst encouraging projection, business leaders from various commercial printers and package printing companies have expressed optimism about their business prospects in the region.

Gulf Print & Pack is organised by F&E, one of the most influential and long-standing names in the Middle East’s events sector.

F&E is part of Tarsus Group, the international business-to-business media group which also organise the Labelexpo Global Series of major labels and package printing trade shows.